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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
Octavian was born into slavery and has been raised as the property of Mr. Gitney, a scientist and philosopher attempting to discern whether an African has the same mental capacity as Europeans. Octavian is treated coldly and has to undergo countless embarrassing experiments. He finds solace with his mother and another slave, Bono, but when Bono is sold and his mother dies, Octavian breaks free from his owners and enters the Revolutionary War to fight for his freedom.
The Pox Party is a difficult book to review because it was exceptionally well-written and a truly moving read, yet I feel as though it was not written with its target audience in mind. Teens may often find themselves bored with the slowness of the plot and the long sections about Octavian’s education. If they manage to stick with it, however, I believe they will come to respect Octavian and be aghast by the horrors of his life.
The Pox Party is a difficult book to review because it was exceptionally well-written and a truly moving read, yet I feel as though it was not written with its target audience in mind. Teens may often find themselves bored with the slowness of the plot and the long sections about Octavian’s education. If they manage to stick with it, however, I believe they will come to respect Octavian and be aghast by the horrors of his life.
I saw that this got great reviews. I just thought it was boring. I guess I am not as gifted as I like to think and can't appreciate what everyone else manages to.
YA ANDERS - historical fiction, Revolutionary War, slavery, torture, sexual content, journal entry/letter format, 2007 Printz honoree
Octavian is raised, and studied, in a college of learning, his food and waste measured, kept apart from the slaves. That is until funding runs out and his mother falls ill. Now he must face his race alone in the world. 2 parts journal entries, 1 part letters. Dark and slow-paced, lots of description and philosophy. 14+
Octavian is raised, and studied, in a college of learning, his food and waste measured, kept apart from the slaves. That is until funding runs out and his mother falls ill. Now he must face his race alone in the world. 2 parts journal entries, 1 part letters. Dark and slow-paced, lots of description and philosophy. 14+
This book was eloquent and dark, and amazingly well written but I still wasn't a huge fan of it. It starts off like a gothic fairy tale an African prince and his mother are hidden away in an American mansion and given the best classical education, the finest clothes, the best instruments, all the while the white men study them and discontent grows in America. Octavian doesn't really understand how peculiar his circumstances are until he is older and filled in by the slave, Bono.
Interesting from a historical and literary perspective. For fans of American history and young adult literature.
Interesting from a historical and literary perspective. For fans of American history and young adult literature.
Hard to write about this book!! Very sad. I got angry at all the negative reviews, the majority of which are about the writing style (which I loved and thought brilliant but I guess I am kind of biased bc I like that kind of writing to start with) and . I do think the book took a minute or two to properly get into (but then I finished it in the same night) but I kind of like how it does that and I think it mirrors probably Octavian's revelations.
Thought this book was especially interesting for people who grew up in New England and were inundated with exciting information about the American Revolution as kids, which the author did mention was his own experience, as it talks about the revolution in a very different tone.
Spoiler
people also complained about the death of horses during WARThought this book was especially interesting for people who grew up in New England and were inundated with exciting information about the American Revolution as kids, which the author did mention was his own experience, as it talks about the revolution in a very different tone.
2 minute response:
I picked up this book at the library after hearing about it on and off through the past few years. I am so glad I did.
This book weaved history, science, and social justice in a book. It used multiple points of view without being confusing or overwhelming. While I didn't fall in love with these characters (in the technical sense) - i saw them as full characters, and as real people.
It is possible to read this book without knowing that it's a book. It's not until I put it down that I fully realized how distinct and different the world of the book was. And while there were so many elements that were outside what would be considered "normal," this book was able to push the bounds of normal and create a world that didn't feel any different.
I picked up this book at the library after hearing about it on and off through the past few years. I am so glad I did.
This book weaved history, science, and social justice in a book. It used multiple points of view without being confusing or overwhelming. While I didn't fall in love with these characters (in the technical sense) - i saw them as full characters, and as real people.
It is possible to read this book without knowing that it's a book. It's not until I put it down that I fully realized how distinct and different the world of the book was. And while there were so many elements that were outside what would be considered "normal," this book was able to push the bounds of normal and create a world that didn't feel any different.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book grows on you slowly. You have to commit to it, and you have to want to see the horrors of slavery during the Revolutionary War period, in a part of the country that we often are not shown slavery (yes there were slaves in New England). For me, it really brought home the hypocrisy of the Founding Fathers in a way that other materials have not. Excellent narration too.
It took me a while to get into the world and the language of this book, but it quickly became a page-turner.
Strong, beautiful narrative, good characters, meticulously researched. Definitely an excellent piece of historical fiction. Kept me hooked the whole way through. I would recommend it for people who like mystery and Revolutionary War historical fiction.
Also, I loved the extremely innovative way Anderson used of advancing the plot during the parts where Octavian is not narrating. It surprised me, and I loved it.
Also, I loved the extremely innovative way Anderson used of advancing the plot during the parts where Octavian is not narrating. It surprised me, and I loved it.
Here's the plot: There's a kid called Octavian who lives with a bunch of nutty scholar-types who are performing experiments on him because he's a Negro and they want to know if he and his "homo afri" brain are as good as them with their "homo europaei" brains.
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